The initial draft of my first novel was titled Staging Life. It told the story of two friends, based on me and my husband, who end up in the Afterlife. A few theatre references were thrown in and, hey presto, I had my first draft. Then I had it professionally assessed. Besides changing the title, …
That Manuscript you Agonise Over
Perhaps 'agonise' is too strong a word. You see, I've gone back to work on the fifth draft of The Midnight Man, a novel I need to get right. I haven't been this obsessed with perfection since my first book. It's currently novella length and tells the story of Stan, a middle aged man in an …
Adultery and the Beta Reader
For the first time I used a Beta Reader. I've tried to before on another project but the person I wanted wasn't interested as the main character was not gay. He reasoned that he'd spent a lifetime reading mainstream novels, and that now with the explosion of queer writing, he wanted to indulge in stories …
The ‘Love At First Sight’ Myth
Let me start by saying I actually believe in 'love at first sight'. I just think its named wrong. 'At first sight' implies it's a visual thing. And writers and film-makers keep perpetuating this myth by having our romantic heroes fall for the physical attributes of their intended lover. Too often it's all about the …
Being Put On The Spot
I’m one of the lucky ones. I have been in a loving relationship with my man for the past twenty-eight years. We have argued, made up, faced dramas and shared dreams. In Australia we’re a multi-cultural couple. I’m a white fella, and he’s a black fella. And it was his suggestion I write this post. Kevin and …
